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Now we bring you another transcribed adventure with Richard Diamond, private detective starring Dick Powell.
Diamond Detective Agency, a pleasant smile, a cheerful rhyme.
We'll keep you from doing time.
Oh.
Hi, Helen.
Hi. Rick, where do you get that cheerful rhyme bit?
You didn't think so?
I didn't think so.
Killjoy.
Why can't you answer the phone like other people do? Just say hello.
You know, I never thought of that.
You should try it sometimes.
Your prospective clients might think they were dealing with a sane, normal person.
You think it's fair to mislead them?
Oh, Rick. Are you busy?
Silly girl.
Busy detectives make money. I just sit at my desk and make conversation with a beautiful redhead.
Why don't you leave your desk and come make conversation with said redhead in person?
That's not a bad idea.
I'm all alone.
The idea is getting better.
It's not even noon yet. We can go for a long walk.
Oh.
You don't sound very enthusiastic. What's wrong with taking a walk?
Honey, in my business, I do more leg work than a pair of nylons.
Walking just isn't my idea of a ripping good time.
Have you a better suggestion?
You can know me for five years and ask questions like that.
Oh, now, dear, let's just...
Uh-uh. Skip it. I am not alone.
Client?
Uh-uh. Shrimp Martin.
Oh, I don't think I know him.
Well, that's something to be proud of.
Calculate it here. Bye.
Bye.
Hello, Diamond.
Never mind shaking hands, Shrimp. I want to keep my cuff links.
Ah, you know me, Rick.
Too well. What brings you here, small man?
Strictly business.
Oh, come off it, Shrimp. You don't have enough to hire a bathtub, let alone a detective.
On the level, Rick. I'm here to make you some dough.
Just a big-hearted guy, huh?
Okay, spell it.
You heard of Hank Burton.
I read the papers.
Then you read how Hank lifted 50 Gs worth of rocks a few months back.
So?
So they're offering an even grand reward for whoever brings Hank in.
What are you getting at?
Just that that even thousand is your fee if you'll do the little job.
What?
Hank Burton, he's the one who sent me.
He says he'll let you turn him in and collect the grand.
Well, well, well, another big-hearted guy.
Make yourself clear, Shrimp, and fast.
Burton wants to see you. He wants you to do a legit job for him.
He'll pay you for it by letting you turn him in.
Doesn't make sense.
Sure does. Hank's a sick boy, bad heart condition.
If he don't get some hospital care, soon he's a goner.
Only as soon as he shows up at the hospital, the cops will nab him.
So he might as well give himself up.
And he'll let me be the one to collect the reward for it, huh?
You got it right.
That's his way of paying you for the job he wants done.
Just what's the job?
Sorry, I said as much as I know, except the job is strictly on the up and up.
The rest you can hear from Hank himself.
Where do I find it?
I take you to him if you're interested in taking the job.
Shrimp, I'm interested in almost anything that involves a thousand bucks.
Only if this deal isn't on the level, I'll ram those buck teeth of yours down your throat.
I tell the truth, I swear it.
Don't bother to cross your heart.
I doubt you'd be able to find it.
Let's go see Burton.
I didn't have any faith in Shrimp Martin,
but the thought of a thousand green pieces of paper did wonders for my bankrupt morale.
We took my car and Shrimp directed me to the warehouse section on Front Street.
We parked beside a deserted looking warehouse,
and Shrimp led me inside through a rear door.
He should be here by now.
Hey, Hank.
Over here, Shrimp.
Behind those boxes over there, Diamond.
I heard him.
Hello, Diamond.
Hank, Shrimp tells me you have a deal to make.
Yeah, that's right.
Shrimp, go outside, see if we ain't interrupted.
Right.
Sit in one of them boxes, Diamond, I got a lot to say.
I'll stand.
It's up to you.
You look bad, Hank.
Never mind that.
Did Shrimp explain the set-up?
I'll accept the job. You expect in return, banning you over.
Okay.
I want you to find a girl, Diamond, that's all.
That could be enough.
Who's the girl?
Her name is Lee Thorpe.
You find out where she's located now, and I'll let you turn me in.
Uh-huh.
Why is it so important you know where this Lee Thorpe is, Hank?
Because if I have to take the rap on that jewelry heist, she takes it with me.
Keep talking.
I met her about four months ago.
Felt pretty hard, and she seemed to go for me, too.
We made plans, big plans.
And my ticket went bad.
She suggested we go to Mexico, where I could be taken care of, but that took though.
So you pulled the jewelry store robbery?
Yeah.
It was her idea.
She said she knew a fence where she could change the rocks in the door,
and we'd be out of country within a month.
But the deal fell through, huh?
Yeah.
I was spotted during the job. I had to hide out.
But I sent her the rocks she said to give her a week.
I think I can guess what happened.
Ain't hard.
When I contacted her a week later, I found out she moved, disappeared.
What a sap I was.
What a sap.
You were a sap to steal the stones in the first place, Hank.
Okay, okay, no speeches.
All I want you to do is locate this dame so the bulls can nab her, too.
Uh-huh.
Why not go to the police right away, Hank?
Tell them the story, let them pick her up.
No.
No, she's smart.
As soon as the word gets out of her and picked up, she'll figure I squeal on her.
It'll be harder to find her then.
Won't be so easy now.
Any idea where she might be?
If I knew, I'd find her myself.
You're the gum she'll get to work.
A thousand bucks ain't bad pay, you know.
Not bad at all.
Only how do I know you'll keep the bargain?
Look at me, will you?
I'm a dying man unless I get help.
Don't worry, I'll let you turn me in.
After you find the girl.
All right, Burton, I'll take a chance.
Where do I get in touch with you?
You know, I'll call you at your office around six.
Work fast, huh, Diamond?
Find her as soon as you can.
Yeah, Hank, as soon as I can.
Hank Burton was in a bad way.
And if he wouldn't give himself up until Lee Thorpe was located,
then it was true she'd have to be found quickly.
Hank didn't have much time left.
We left the warehouse together.
He and Shrimp Martin disappeared down Front Street and I drove back uptown.
At the 5th Precinct, I found that Lieutenant Walt Levinson was out to lunch.
But in the meantime, the sergeant let me look through the files.
Well, make yourself right at home, Mr. Diamond.
Well, thank you, Lieutenant, I have.
So wonder you're not sitting behind my desk.
I'm sure you'd be more comfortable.
Well, now, I might just take you up on that when I get tired.
Fine, fine. Maybe you'd even like one of my uniforms to wear.
Now, Walt, let's not carry the joke too far.
When I was on the force, I tried to get into one of your uniforms.
It looked like Bonnie Prince Charlie in a raccoon coat.
Just when I need after a nice lunch, you around to give me indigestion.
What are you looking for, anyway?
I found it.
File on a girl named Lee Thorpe.
Thorpe? Thorpe.
Yeah, yeah, I remember. I used to be married to Davy Thorpe.
Used to be?
Yeah, it's all there in the folder.
She split up with Davy, too, maybe three years ago when he was sent up.
Davy's still in prison?
Uh-uh. Out about a year ago.
What do you want this Lee Gale for?
Sorry, Walt. Confidential.
Oh, great. I ask a question, you tell me it's confidential.
But you think you can walk in here and poke through our files all you please?
Uh, cheer up, fatty. I'll tell you all about it after I find Lee Thorpe.
Well, now, that's mighty big of you, Mr. Diamond.
Well, think nothing of it, Lieutenant.
I don't.
Uh, find anything in the folder?
Eh, not much.
She's been picked up on a few minor offenses, that's all.
What about Davy, her ex-husband?
Oh, he seems pretty legitimate these days.
Run a pool room over on Third.
Listed in the book as Davy's Billiard Parlor.
Hmm. That's an original name.
Well, I guess I'll go see Davy.
Maybe he's seen his ex-wife lately.
Oh, don't rush off, bright eyes.
Things are so dull around here when you're not poking your nose into our business.
I know, but don't feel bad, Walt. I'll pay you back.
Well, goody, goody gumdrop. I'll have our best cell waiting.
You're such a wonderful host.
See you later, Walt.
Davy's pool room turned out to be a dingy joint.
There were no customers this early in the afternoon.
But Davy must not have liked his tables to go to waste.
He was playing at a front table all by himself.
I walked over to him.
Well, nice shot, Davy.
Huh? Oh, want a game, Mac?
I'd rather talk.
This is a pool room, not a conversation club.
It's about your wife, Davy.
I got no wife.
You did have.
I had measles once, too, but that don't mean I'm still scratching.
Have you seen Lee recently?
Well, depends on how recent you call recently.
Oh, in the last month or so?
Mm-mm.
You see, when I first got out, close to a year ago,
she wants to pick up where we left off.
And?
I don't know where to get off.
You beat these dames, I get sent up out of circulation for a while.
She wants to be free.
Then I'm out, she wants to get all shimmy again.
Well, maybe you know where she might hang around, Davy.
Yeah, maybe.
You a cop?
Private.
Well?
Well, what?
I'm a businessman, pal.
I don't shoot off my mouth, but I'm fun of it.
Well, 10 bucks, take the fun out of it.
You don't see me laughing, do you?
Put the money on the table.
Okay, there you are.
Oh, what's your bludge?
Yeah, I might know where Lee hangs out.
I'm not saying it for sure, mind you.
Been almost a year since I seen her.
Keep talking.
She always likes bars, lights, people.
She used to drag me to a bar all the time.
Any particular bar?
Mm-hmm.
The Blue Boy Club over on 40th.
In fact, that's where I first met her.
I, uh... Oh, excuse me a sec.
Hey, take a few shots while I answer that.
Hello?
Davies Billiard, pal, huh?
I don't... Oh, yeah, yeah, maybe, yes, hold it.
Hey, uh, Sharmus.
Your name Richard Diamond?
That's right.
That's for you.
If you want more out of me, I'll be over in the office.
Thanks.
Hello?
Old Rick, I took a chance. Figured you'd still be there.
What's up?
Funny, but right after you were here,
we got a call about Lee Thorpe.
Picked her up right away.
Good boy. I'll be right down.
You at the precinct?
Uh-uh. I'm at the morgue.
Why?
And don't bother to hurry, Rick.
This gal won't be going anywhere.
Not now.
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And now back to Richard Diamond, private detective,
starring Dick Powell.
At the city morgue, I looked down on the girl
who was once called Lee Thorpe
and had now become a number.
It wasn't a pretty sight and I wasn't glad to be seeing it.
Okay, Charlie, thanks. Come on, Rick.
Where did you find her, Walt?
One of the beat men came across her in an alley
over by 6th Street.
Find the murder weapon?
No, the knife wasn't around. Only the holes it made.
Yeah, we can sit down in here.
You have some talking to do, Rick.
No more of this confidential rigmarole.
Okay, Walt, you ask the questions
and I'll answer as best I can.
Number one, why were you looking for the date?
A client hired me to find it.
Who's the client?
You know, Walt, this is going to sound scurry.
Cut the build-up, just make with the answer.
Okay, okay. The client is Hank Burton.
Well, at least we... What? Hank Burton?
That's right. Now sit down, fatty,
and wipe that shocked expression off your face.
Rick Boy, do you happen to know who Hank Burton is?
That we've been after him for two months?
I know, I know.
If things had gone as I planned,
you'd have had him in the cell by tomorrow.
I guess I'd better explain, Walt.
Yeah, I think you'd better.
And make it good, Rick. Plenty good.
I told Walt about Burton,
about the thousand-dollar fee and Burton's illness.
He wasn't happy about the whole thing,
but at least he now knew as much about the case as I did,
which wasn't much for either of us to know.
So Burton figured the girl gave him the double-cross, huh?
Yeah, I guess that's it.
He wanted me to find her,
just so he could turn her in when he gives himself out.
Maybe and maybe not.
Maybe he found her before you did.
Maybe he's the one who put those knife wounds in her back.
I doubt it, Walt.
If he'd had any idea where she was,
he wouldn't have bothered to hire me.
Then why was she killed?
Well, she must have known where $50,000 worth of jewelry was.
Good enough reason?
Yeah.
Well, what now?
You think Burton will still turn himself in after he hears the girl's dead?
I think so.
He's pretty sick.
Hasn't got a chance on his own.
Uh-huh.
Well, I'm going back over to the neighborhood
where we found the girl's body.
We figure she lived around there.
Maybe we can find out where.
It's a start, anyway.
Good.
I'll wait for Hank Burton to contact me.
Okay. And Rick, if you turn up anything,
let me in on it this time, huh?
I waited until 6 o'clock in my office,
and then Burton called.
I didn't tell him about the girl over the phone.
Instead, I made a date to meet him an hour later
on the Christopher Street ferry.
The ferry was in when I arrived at the slip,
so I went aboard.
I agreed to meet Burton on the lower level port side.
I went there,
sat down on one of the benches,
and waited for him to come back.
Sat down on one of the benches.
But five minutes later, the ferry pulled out,
and there was still no sign of Hank Burton.
Diamond?
Huh?
It's me, Shrimp.
Oh, that's quite a professional way
you have of sneaking up on people, friend.
Yeah.
Enjoy the ride, Diamond.
We go over to Jersey, and then we come back.
And then we get off.
Where's Burton?
He couldn't make it.
I want you to meet him back at the warehouse
we met in this morning.
Oh, great.
Why didn't you get here before we pulled out?
I tried.
Not as fast as I used to be.
Uh-huh.
Now, uh, tell me, Shrimp,
just why couldn't Hank make it here?
It's as safe as that warehouse.
Oh, well, uh, he's sick.
He's feeling bad.
He felt bad all day.
Oh?
It didn't sound so bad when I talked to him on the phone.
Well, he was sick. He was.
Real pain.
He could never make it down here.
Let's enjoy the ride, huh?
Let's talk some more first.
If Burton knew he was too sick to meet me here,
why did he suggest it in the first place?
How should I know?
Hank says we come to the warehouse,
we go to the warehouse.
Don't ask him any questions.
Oh, I just have an inquisitive nature.
I like answers, Shrimp.
Okay.
How's this for an answer?
Wow.
Little man with a big gun.
That's right.
And the gun says we go to the warehouse.
Now settle back and enjoy the ride.
It was the most uncomfortable boat ride I'd taken in years.
Shrimp put the gun back in his pocket,
but kept it pointed toward me.
The ferry finally returned to the New York side,
and we got off.
Then we drove back to Front Street
and parked beside the warehouse.
Okay, Diamond, in the back door.
Stop waving the gun back and forth, Shrimp.
You'll wear yourself out.
No cracks. Go on, open the door.
Where's Burton?
Same place, over behind those boxes.
Move.
I still don't get it, Shrimp.
Why wouldn't Hank come to the ferry,
and why the artillery to make sure I came here?
That's far enough.
I'll light this candle, Diamond.
Maybe you'll get your answer then.
Well, that's better. At least I...
Uh-oh.
See what I mean, Shammers?
Yeah, Shrimp. I see what you mean.
Hank Burton wasn't bothered by his heart anymore.
He lay there on the floor
with a stupid expression on his face
that the sudden dead often wear.
His eyes were open and a bewildered stare,
and his teeth were clenched tight.
Hank Burton had died quickly, without warning.
And it looked like I was next in line.
Surprised, Diamond?
You didn't bring me here for a reaction, Shrimp.
Nuh-uh. I just get a kick out of seeing your face.
Yeah. Good old Shrimp, the loyal friend.
Hank trusted you.
Ah, that was a big mistake.
Hank was a sap.
I stuck with him,
because I thought he'd get his hands on them rocks again.
Then I'd get a split.
Only Hank didn't want the stuff back, huh?
He was going to let me turn him in,
and that left you out in the cold.
You got it right.
When I knew he was sickening you onto the diamond,
I went to the guy who really has the stones.
Yeah, I figured there was someone else in this.
You're not brave enough to try something like murder alone.
He does very well at it, Diamond, believe me.
Well, pool hall Thorpe, little Davey.
You're a long way from your pool room, pal.
There's more profitable things than pool rooms, Diamond.
I saw it would seem.
Like handling stolen jewelry.
Uh-huh.
You sure know him, Follage, you Shrimp.
Positive.
Good.
I'm sorry about this, Diamond,
but you'll have to join Hank before long.
Yeah, I'll bet you're sorry.
You were sorry when you killed your ex-wife, too.
A real sweet guy.
She brings you the stones, and you pay her back with a knife.
What could I do?
Shrimp tells me there's a detective looking for her.
He was a good kid, but she didn't have much knife.
She'd have talked her head off if you'd found her.
I see.
But why Hank and now me?
Well, look at it this way.
We finish you with the same knife that killed Lee.
Then we put the knife in Hank's hand
and the gun that killed him in yours.
Oh, that's really great.
Davey, I'm afraid you've been reading pulp fiction.
Heh.
So the cops get wise sooner or later.
It'll still give us time to get far away.
Shrimp, you got the knife?
Right here, Davey.
Okay.
Restore long enough, Shrimp.
By candlelight yet, huh, fellas?
Well, well, this is real romantic.
Yeah, ain't it, Saul?
Well, only not quite enough.
It's even more romantic with a candle.
Ow!
Shrimp!
My hand!
Shrimp!
He's taking a little nap, Davey, and I've got his gun.
Quiet!
Ah, it's too bad, Davey.
You should have stuck to your pool room.
Okay, Shrimp, get to your feet.
Diamond, diamond.
Oh, shut up. Come on.
Oh, my head.
Shrimp, I made you a promise this morning.
I said either this deal with Hank was on the level
or your buck teeth were going down your throat.
Oh, no, look, diamond.
Oh, shut up.
Now, you know the old saying, Shrimp.
See your deadest twice a year?
Huh?
Well, you won't have to worry about that now, friend.
Rick?
Yes, Helen dear?
It's nice outside.
If you're wearing a fur coat, it is.
Oh, it's not really cold.
Besides, you have a nice little house.
It's not really cold.
Besides, you have a heavy coat.
Helen, are you hinting that I should leave?
Uh-huh, with me.
I'd still like to go for that walk.
Oh, no.
Well, why not?
The only time I see you is after a case
and you just drop in, seat yourself at the piano
and take it easy.
But, honey, I'm tired.
Well, I'm not.
I've been in all day and I could use the exercise.
Exercise you want, huh?
Well, I got a good idea.
I'll chase you around the piano.
It's your idea of exercise, huh?
No, but just think of the fun we could have after I caught you.
Rick, I'm serious.
Just look out that window.
Oh, stop shivering.
Look at that moonlight.
Isn't it romantic?
What chances to give the Dodgers this year?
Long walk.
Just you and me.
And the Giants.
Now, there's a hot ball team.
Maybe over to Central Park?
And the Arkansas Aggies.
Oh, they'll be fighting all the way.
Hand in hand, we get Arkansas Aggies.
Yeah, my old home team.
Richard Diamond, you are the most unromantic man in town.
Telling how can you say that?
Don't I build a nice fire in the fireplace?
I could get a Boy Scout to do that.
Here we are, a fire, lights down low,
a nice romantic song, and your idea of romance is a walk.
Well, after all, I...
Hey, where does that nice romantic song come in?
Right about now.
Well, couldn't you sing while we walk?
Oh, sorry, honey.
Throw another log on the fire
Keep my golden memories aglow
I don't see the face of my loved one
When the logs are burning low
Throw another log on the fire
Bring back all the sweetest days I've known
When our hearts were young in the springtime
And her love was mine alone
Now there's nothing left but the embers
Springtime seemed so long ago
Throw another log on the fire
Keep my golden memories aglow
Ah, that was very nice, but I still didn't like it.
That's a brilliant statement.
I still want to go for a walk.
Millions of girls in New York, and I had to pick a nature lover.
Dick Powell will return in just a moment.
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Yes, more people smoke camels than any other cigarette.
And among them are many people whose throats are important to their careers.
For instance, our own Dick Powell.
Dick, why do you smoke camels?
Well, I smoke camels regularly because I like their taste.
They're mild and they agree with my throat.
That's mighty important when you use your voice as much as I do.
Friends, why don't you find out how well camels will agree with your throat?
How mild, how mild, how mild, how mild can a cigarette be?
Make the camels 30-day test and you'll see.
Smoke camels and see.
Here's Dick Powell with a special message.
Thank you.
Ladies and gentlemen, the makers of camels have now sent more than 200 million
camels cigarettes to service men and veterans.
This week, as every week, gift camels are being sent to hospitalized veterans.
They're on their way to Veterans Hospitals, Phoenix, Arizona, and Des Moines, Iowa,
U.S. Army Station Hospital, Fort Benning, Georgia, U.S. Naval Hospitalship Haven.
Now until next week, enjoy camels.
I always do.
Music
Tonight's adventure of Richard Diamond was written by Dick Carr with music by Frank Wirth.
Virginia Gregg was heard as Helen Asher and Alan Reed as Lieutenant Walt Levinson.
Others in the cast were Junius Matthews, Tony Barrett, and Ted D'Courcier.
Richard Diamond, Private Detective, is transcribed in Hollywood by Jaime del Valle.
Music
Be sure to listen to another great camel show.
Vaughn Monroe and the Camel Caravan every Saturday night.
Listen next week for another exciting adventure of Richard Diamond starring Dick Powell.
Now stay tuned for This Is Your FBI, followed immediately by Ozzie and Harriet over most of these stations.